“Friend of sinners.” (Luke 7:34) A beautiful
description of Jesus, to our way of thinking. But when some of
Jesus’ contemporaries gave him that name they did not mean it as a
compliment, rather as an insult. But Jesus, by befriending sinners,
was able to do so much more for them than those who condemned. When
Jesus befriended sinners, they changed. Their hearts melted before
Jesus. They left sin behind and expanded their hearts to make room
for Jesus. We see this happening a number of times in the gospels.
Just after today’s gospel passage (Luke 7:31-35), we read about
Jesus having dinner in the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke
7:36-50). Simon had not shown the expected welcome to Jesus but a
sinner woman came in who more than made up for Simon’s lack. Her
sins were forgiven and she showed much love to Jesus. The condemning
attitude of Simon the Pharisee did not help her grow out of her
sinfulness, it was the love of Jesus that helped her move beyond her
sinfulness. In the next chapter we read of another woman, Mary
Magdalene from whom seven demons had been driven out (Luke 8:2). She
went to Jesus’ tomb early on Easter Sunday morning to anoint his
body (Luke 24:10).

“Friend of tax collectors.” (Luke 7:34) That
description of Jesus by some of his contemporaries was also meant to
be pejorative. But when Jesus befriended tax collectors their hearts
also melted before him and made room for him. One of them was Levi
or Matthew who even became one of the twelve apostles and in the
early church was said to be the author of the Gospel bearing his
name (Luke 5:27-28). Another was Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). The
people of Jericho grumbled while Jesus dined with him but afterwards
Zacchaeus was totally transformed. Luke does not tell us if the same
could be said for his fellow townspeople.

People responded to Jesus in different ways.
Some, unfortunately as we heard in the gospel today, did not accept
Jesus (Luke 7:34). But those who did accept him were transformed and
grew and blossomed. I think Luke is saying to his readers that we
have a choice. Reject Jesus and lose out, or accept Jesus and
receive more than we can even begin to imagine. There is so much
more God offers us than we are even capable of comprehending. We get
a hint of this in our first reading (Year 2) when Paul wrote to the
Corinthians about what awaits Christians in the next life,

At present we
see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present
I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. (1
Cor 13:12)

Jesus stands before each of us, and offers us
his friendship. The more we accept Jesus’ offer, the more we are
transformed to become what we are meant to be. Jesus’ offer of
friendship is accepted by spending time with him, just as did all
the characters in the gospel who became Jesus’ friends. Jesus’ offer
of friendship is accepted by opening our hearts wide to allow Jesus
in without fear or obstacles. Accepting Jesus’ friendship empowers
us to do what others would never dream possible for us. Accepting
Jesus as our friend, frees us from baggage of the past, so that we
can live the life of Jesus fully now.